Half way there and my story!
 

Okay so really I am 1 oz away from being EXACTLY half way there but darn close enough for me! :carrot:

15 more pounds and I will be the weight I was when I got married 12 years ago!

I really would like to share my story.... In 1999 I was 23, 170 lb and happy. I had aways been around 160-170 and could stay around that weight for years, I was happy with my size at a 14/16.

Then in December of 1999 I landed in ICU with pneumonia. I have asthma but it had not really been a problem except when I ran. Well my oxygen levels were low, like REALLY low even being on 100% oxygen. I just couldn't breath, I was out of it and really didn't know what was going on. My primary care came in and told me if they couldn't get it up they were going to have to put in a breathing tube but he was going to talk to a specialist first. That's the last I remembered till morning.

Next morning I was breathing better. They had called in the specialist who recommended high doses of prednisone. It saved me. I was in ICU for 3 days and a regular room for 7 days before I could go home. I was weak. It took me 4 days to be able to walk from my room down the hall without getting winded.

Day after I got home I landed back in the hospital with Influenza A, I was quarantined. That was a 5 day hospital stay and was home the day before Christmas eve. I was still on high doses of prednisone, if you don't know you have to ween off of it, it's a steroid. I finally got weened completely off of it by middle of February 2000 but at that point I had gained around 35 lb.

They told me in the hospital that it would make me emotional, hungry and many other side effects but it took me awhile to realize how hungry it made me. I gained 35 lb in less than 2 months, I couldn't believe it, but I was so laid up I didn't move much anyway.

Anyway, fast forward to that June and I started having hip problems. Come to find out the prednisone cut off blood circulation to my left hip and my bone was dying, I had avascular necrosis of the hip. It was a side effect but it was such a small % of people it happened to they were surprised it happened to me. I had a surgery to help the bone grow back which helped for a couple years, but I couldn't walk, run or do much in way of physical activity.

2000 - Hip Core Decompression surgery at age 24
2001- Married weighed 208
2002 -1st child born - c section
2003 - 2nd child born - c section
2004 - total hip replacement at age 28
2005 - broke ankle in 3 places and had reconstructive surgery on it
2006 - silent year lol
2007 - 3rd child born - c section
2008 - 4th and last child born - c section

So through all that, my journey I have never worried or concetrated on my weight. I knew I kept getitng bigger. I tried weight watchers a few times and it helped a bit... but I have some physical limitations due to my hip and ankle so it was a struggle. Being on IP and getting back to where I was is more than I can express.

My husband and I met while I was on prednisone (puffy and all from it), he has always known me at 205+ lb, I can't wait for him to meet the thinner me, not a BETTER me but a healthier and more engergetic me.

Thanks for taking the time to get through all that. I just really needed to share today because I never thought this was possible.

Congrats on hitting the half-way mark! You're doing wonderfully well. :hug: Thanks for sharing.

Its a great feeling, isn't it (half way!)

You've really been through the ringer. Losing all of this weight will be so much easier on our skeletal systems (in addition to OTHER systems!)

So happy for you and the success you've achieved so far. You must be one tough lady to get through all that, and that's a good thing! Congratulations on reaching the half way point! Bask in the glow :D

Thank you so much for sharing your story. So wonderful to have found a program that really works for you and so many!

Congratulations! You must feel fantastic (physically and mentally)! I look forward to seeing more updates on your progress!

Thanks for sharing your story. You have been an inspiration since you joined 3FC and I'm glad to be on this journey with you.

Congratulations! :carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot:

Thank you for sharing your story :) You have done so well!! Can't wait to see the milestone that says "2013 - reached goal weight" :)

What an amazing story. Congrats on your grit to stick with it--and on your progress. Bravo!

Thank you for sharing your story. Congratulations on making your half way mark :)

Way to go girl!!!!that is an amazing story. So sorry for everything that went wrong- congratulations on all that you are doing right!:carrot:

You're an inspiration, Calisto! Congrats on the 1/2way mark! And how exciting that your hubby and kids are living with the incredibly shrinking woman! You have a right to be proud!

Congrats! Thank you for sharing. Halfway there is so awesome!!

Congrats.

Congratulations to you and your accomplishment of your half-way goal! You've been through a lot in a short time and it's so great that you are finally putting the focus on you and your health! All the best to you as you reach goal in 2013!

Thank you for sharing your story. You have been through so much in the past few years. You are doing SO well on IP, just look at your ticker :carrot:! Congrats on the halfway mark, it is such a great feeling (I hit my halfway mark yesterday as well!!)

Congratulations! You can do it! I can't wait to be half way. When did you start IP?

Congratulations!! Sounds like life has been busy and crazy. Your losses are inspirational, and I wanted to tell you that your new profile picture is absolutely beautiful! Keep going :)

YEAH! I knew it would be a big deal but until you hit it you don't know how much! lol

My husband and I started November 7 last year, we have been told by our coach and others at the clinic we have lost weight faster than anyone else they have there. BUT I have also found out a lot of their other clients cheat. Our only cheat is having a little more than 8 oz of protein some days.

Thank you! I love it!

And thanks to everyone else, the support here is wonderful! What I am most happy about is I have gotten 2 others into IP and 3 more looking into it! I love knowing more people IRL (in real life) on it with me!

Congratulations! You are an amazing inspiration!

Wow, I am so happy for you! I am sure you are already feeling much better and it will only get better and better for you as you keep going down. :cp:

What a journey you've been on! Congratulations on your wonderful story and thank you for sharing your journey. You are an amazing inspiration!

calisto :hug: :hug: :hug:
you've sure had some rough years. but look at you!!! so amazed at how tenacious the human spirit is even when dealing with life's obstacles!! you've certainly made a good way for yourself and 15 pounds until your wedding size...what a celebration!! i know you are proud and your family is proud and all of us are very very proud of you~~ :encore:

My sister was on prednisone for over a year. She gained more than 100 pounds! From all of the people that I have known to be on the drug, they tell me it initially saved their life, but after being on it for a while it was killing them. Congratulations on getting off of it and losing the weight!

So glad for you! I wish you the best of health now and in the future. That is a wonderful accomplishment.

Yes it's a horrible drug to be on, but may, the side effects are horrible. I have been on it since then in low doses from time to time and only for a week at the most. Sometimes it's the only thing that will work. There is still the posibility it can/has damaged my other hip or even my shoulders but nothing has shown that yet.

Congrats!

Your story shows what a strong and amazing person you are. Nothing will ever stop you from being successful. Congrats on hitting the 1/2 way mark. I can't wait to hear about the day you make you goal! Congrats!

Congrats Calisto!!! Thank you for sharing. You are totally an inspiration!!!

Congrats Calisto! You deserve to be proud of yourself. You are an inspiration to me. I loved reading your story - You've been through a ton of stuff and have such a wonderful outlook and attitude.

4 c-sections is nothing to sneeze at - they are major surgery and take quite a toll on your body, especially as close together as yours were. I know a healthy perfect baby is totally worth it - but I don't think people realize how tough multiple c-sections can be on a woman's body.

Keep up the good/hard work. You are doing amazing!

Agree and it toally changes your body too, but I wouldn't change anything.

onmyway looks like you are almost to your halfway point too! :)

Thanks for pointing that out Calisto! I guess I am.

Wrapping my mind around losing 126 pounds was impossible - but I think I can certainly lose 64 more....its all how you look at it.

Very true! I thought 107 was a HUGE number, well it was to me. But being half way there doesn't seem so bad. Once I hit 170 I may want to go lower but we will see. :)

Congratulations Kara, I am so happy for you!!!